1920 Antwerp

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Games of the VII Olympiad

The 1920 Games were awarded to Antwerp to honour the suffering that had been inflicted on the Belgian people during World War I. The Opening Ceremony was notable for the introduction of the Olympic flag and the presentation of the Athletes’ Oath. It was also at these Games that for the first time only National Olympic Committees could enroll participants.

Five of Canada’s eight medals were won in the boxing ring. Albert Schneider faced four opponents in three days, and after three rounds in the final match, Graham and Georges Prud’homme took silver, and Moe Herscovitch and Chris Newton each won bronze. In athletics, Earl Thomson was crowned Olympic champion in the 110m hurdles. Swimmer George Vernot was a double-medallist – silver and bronze in the 1500m and 400m freestyle respectively. The Canadian team was comprised of 47 athletes.